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Several ideas have been put forward, some of which are compatible with others and so might be taken together. Here are a few:
1) Christ is identifying with his people; they need to be baptized, symbolizing their repentance and cleansing from sin, so he enters into their obedience and perfects it in righteousness.
2) Christ is the Messiah, the Anointed. When is he "anointed"? At his baptism, which is when the Spirit comes down on him out of heaven (something we sprinklers and pourers would say was also symbolized by the act of baptism). Hence, he fulfills those prophecies that say he will fill the office of the Anointed.
3) It could be mainly a proleptic (future oriented) statement in that, because he will be "fulfilling all righteousness" he is now being baptized.
__________________ Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI Made both Lord and Christ--Jesus, the Destroyer
Acts 2:36 - 1 Cor. 10:9-10 & 15:22-26 - Hebrews 2:9-15 - 1 John 3:8 - James 4:12
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